WASHINGTON, May 9: The Washington Times cartoonist who made the derogatory cartoon that caused uproar in Pakistan said on Monday he never intended to offend the Pakistani nation. “It’s a cultural gap, a cultural misunderstanding that caused the uproar,” said Bill Garner while talking to Dawn.

He said the reaction to his cartoon was entirely different than what he had expected and he would now be sensitive to the feelings of the people of Pakistan while making cartoons about US-Pakistan friendship in future.

“The symbol to me was that of friendship … there’s a saying in English that a dog is the man’s best friend,” said Mr Garner while explaining why he used a dog to depict Pakistan’s role in the war against terror.

He said the US Army has a canine corps, dogs are used for police work, also at airports to find drugs … there has always been a great friendship with animals, particularly dogs, in America.” He said when he showed a dog bringing in a terrorist he did it “in the spirit of goodwill and friendship that exists between the two countries.”